Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava has been handed a six-month ban from officiating in CONCACAF competitions after asking for Lionel Messi’s autograph, Afrosport reports.
Ortiz reportedly asked Messi for his autograph for a family member with special needs at the end of Inter Miami’s 1-0 win at Sporting Kansas City in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on 19 February.
CONCACAF opened disciplinary proceedings against the 36-year-old, citing that his actions “do not align with the Confederation’s Code of Conduct for match officials.”
It was revealed that he acknowledged his mistake, was apologetic and had accepted a sanction from the federation.
Ortiz, who took charge of the game between Puebla and Club Tijuana in the Mexican league on Friday, will continue to officiate Liga MX matches despite the ban.
CONCACAF, in its report, revealed that if Ortiz Nava repeats such an occurrence, he will be banned indefinitely.
